NYT Editorial: After Gov. Rick Scott of Florida thoughtlessly rejected $2.4 billion in federal aid for a high-speed rail line, he claimed last month that he was doing a huge favor for the national Treasury, which he expected would give away the money in tax cuts. That was nonsense, of course; Mr. Scott was really doing a favor for train passengers in the Northeast, Midwest and California, which were given $2 billion of his money on Monday for better service.
Florida voters might want to think about that decision as they sit in traffic jams, burning up $4-a-gallon gasoline. In fact, some of them clearly have thought about it because Mr. Scott now has some of the worst approval ratings of a Florida official in the last decade.
He has joined other newly elected Republican governors so rigidly opposed to the Obama administration that they are willing to harm their states to score points. The result is a crazy quilt of state relationships with Washington, stitched more with ideology than reason.
None of the money in Monday’s announcement will be going to Wisconsin, for example, where Gov. Scott Walker has also decided that his strapped state could do without rail improvements and the construction jobs that go with them. Nor will it go to Ohio, where Gov. John Kasich preferred rejectionism to the improvement of rail service among the state’s largest cities, which could have produced 16,000 jobs.
Instead, it will go to 15 states that have more farsighted leadership, who understand the important role federal dollars can play in stimulating the economy, moving people quickly from place to place and reducing tailpipe emissions. Some of those states are led by Republicans…
….Refusenik Republicans glorify shopworn principles like smaller government and states’ rights. They will have to defend them to their voters when the public hears the passenger trains whistling from the next state over.
Full editorial here
The Obama Diary 
Hi everyone!
Had a nice chat with a friend regarding her Republican partner. He is a new convert to the “O” side 🙂
He called her to brag that he had received his Obama sticker and how impressed he is with the President’s handling of OBL…she was stunned, not only because he is finally in the know when it comes to our wonderful president, but that he is now donating to Obama!
One at a time folks, just keep talking/sharing facts above the noise. I sent her a link to the 60 Minutes interview…they have not yet seen it.
Ct, that Is wonderful news, I like that 🙂
That’s how to do it. I have a 1/2 page handout on the pros/cons of both parties I give out when someone starts talking, or looks interested. Like the bag boy at the grocery store and the checker standing, waiting for a customer.
DNH,
Can you tell me how to get one of those handouts, or if you created it yourself, could you provide the info so that I can use it down here in GA? Send it to my email–cugagcmu80 at yahoodotcom. I’d appreciate it sooooo much!
Thanks!!
I think Scott and the other governors who rejected this money will feel the voters’ wrath in the next election. Too many of their constituents have been to Europe and ridden the wonderful trains there, and know what a benefit they are. If ever shortsighted decisions were obvious, this one is!
The ads not only ‘write themselves’; they’re written.
Republicans promised jobs, instead they attacked Medicare
Republicans promised jobs, instead they attacked women
Republicans promised jobs, instead they focused on disenfranchising young, disabled and elderly voters
Republicans promised jobs, instead they voted tax payer dollars to subsidize big oil
Republicans promised jobs, instead the blocked job creation and essential 21st Century infrastructure
And on and on and on.
Reality is that the Republicans now not only own the deficit, an illegal war on Iraq; fanatical attacks on American women and girls; monomaniacal commitment of tax breaks for the wealthy, corporations and subsidies for big oil; intentional disenfranchisement of voters; and active blockade of implementation of 21st Century infrastructure – they own unemployment and I assure you the Democrats in the White House and Congress are not about to bail them out of any of it.
Come Election Day 2012 Americans will have one thing to say to Republicans – Your FIRED
Great post. If you don’t mind, I’m copying it to use on the right wing sites I visit with facts. When they resort to name calling, I know a nerve was boinged.
DoNoHarm: I don’t know how you can visit those site. I feel so dirty if I read a comment on CNN or any of the other newspapers sites and see anything negative, I do not continue. I give up. I lift my hat to you. COULD NEVER DO IT!!
It’s frustrating, it makes me angry at the stupidity of Americans, sometimes I just type away then have to delete the swear words and nasty names – it ain’t easy, but my goal is to inform, to correct lies. It is very time consuming and after the 2012 election for President Obama, I’m done, which is what I said after President Obama’s BIG win in 2008. That’s what keeps me going and walking in front of our post office, or Walmart (I’m not sure if those people can read) and being nice, not pushy. Ever since we (family) moved from Hillary for nomination (when Bill joined her team) and looked really close at then Sen. Obama, I’ve been at it and frankly, I get depressed. Believe me, Americans are nowhere near as sophisticated and knowledgable in their political know-how as the Europeans. I’m aghast, no, I was aghast at the filth in our govt. But then, that’s politics. The POTUS thought he saw it all in IL, now he’s catching on. FYI, we put ours in jail, not re-elect them.
So when Chipsticks’ site came on board, what a treat. No, it’s more than that – a right arm, a comedy central, an encyclopedia for news at my fingertips, a current events log, a base for escape, a flood of ideas, a kick in the pants, too! Here’s this person sending personal messages, which translates to fast lunches and john breaks, going from one site to another, posting, posting. And doesn’t give up. Hot, cold, rain, snow, sunshine. I was at a low when along comes the pics from the Obama Family’s S.A. trip. Saved every single post on that trip. They’re full of joy and I was hoping the POTUS had picked Chipsticks to send her a personal note, but at least it’s in the W.H.
The only way we can win is with people power. The opposition has a web that amazes me. I’ve learned to triple check sites, they’re well hidden in their base. Who knew about the Devos, a moneyed right wing family – Prince of Blackwater is from them, etc. And hidden xtian sites – they’re against the POTUS because of his stance on pro-choice and gays, have to be careful. I only wish I knew how to work all the gadgets available on a computer.
My project for the next couple days is make up a new handout from Bobfr’s great post. And I talk as much as I’ve posted here, no, more than that. But when posting on sites, short works better. So all of you, thank you for your continued support of our President Obama. And thank you too to Blackwaterdog, I use that site too, a lot. Mimi
We in California – thank them for their largess (aka Stupidity)
😆
I’M GETTING OUT OF THIS STATE (FLORIDA) AND I’M NOT COMING BACK UNTIL SCOTT AND RUBIO ARE GONE!!! Yes I had to write in all caps that’s how serious it is.
Well my state thanks scott the moron. Maryland gets $22M stimulus rejected by Fla. State officials said the $22 million grant for preliminary studies will create roughly 100 jobs over the next three years. I guess they don’t want jobs in Fla.